Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is pleased to count on Mathieu Debuchy for their Europa League tie with Red Star Belgrade.

Debuchy has won over Wenger after accusing the manager of blocking him from leaving over the summer.

“We are all very pleased for him here because he has gone through some very difficult moments with setbacks," Wenger said. “The fact that he got through 120 minutes the other night is a huge boost for him. He needs to recover now but from now on, he'll be a candidate to fight for the team places again.

“Mathieu is absolutely strong and determined as well. He's a quiet character but a very strong one. I must say he's 100 per cent a professional player. Everybody in the medical department just says he's exceptional.

“Maybe his future is as a centre-back. He has the attributes because, despite his size, he's very good in the air. You think he couldn't play centre back because he's not tall, but if you look at the number of balls he wins in the air, it's impressive."

After being initially frozen out, Wenger has handed Debuchy starts against Red Star Belgrade and Norwich in the EFL Cup.